Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Center

Bellefield Towers
Office #727
100 North Bellefield Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

(412) 246-6006

Charles F. Reynolds III, MD – Mark D. Miller, MD – Jordan F. Karp, MD – Ariel Gildengers, MD

The Late-Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Center offers the following:

Evaluations
Consultations
Research studies for depression treatment – age 60 and older
Research study for treatment of depression and back pain – age 60 and older
Observational and treatment research study for individuals with bipolar disorder – age 50 and older
Research study for treatment of Complicated Grief – age 18 to 95

The Late-Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Center benefits both patients and Primary Care Physicians:

Psychiatric evaluation is offered at no cost.
Study staff communicates critical clinical information to patient’s Primary Care Physician.
All visits and medication are provided to the patient at no cost.
Careful monitoring of grief and depressive symptoms – may save valuable time for PCPs to focus on other medical issues.

What should I do if I am interested in learning more?

It’s really simple!
Just call (412) 246-6006.

What can I expect at my first appointment?

There is no charge to you or your insurance for the evaluation.
You will spend about two hours with a clinician and/or a study physician.
You will answer questions about your mood, sleep, energy, interest in activities, etc.

Good News

GOOD NEWS

OLDER ADULTS AND DEPRESSION – TREATMENT WORKS

There’s feeling blue once in awhile and then there’s feeling blue without relief. The occasional blue feeling is a normal part of life. Feeling blue without relief can be a sign of what doctors call “clinical depression”. While clinical depression is a common problem for older adults, it is not normal. The good news is, for many older people, depression will get better with treatment.

The University of Pittsburgh Late-Life Depression Evaluation and Treatment Center offers expertise in the area of detection of and treatment for depression in older adults. An evaluation at the Center can help differentiate between the occasional blues and the more persistent depression in older adults. This is a challenge because there are reasons why older adults show signs of the blues from time to time including loss of loved ones, changes in health, retirement, and even disability. What we’ve learned is that the more persistent “clinical depression” does not come and go whereas moments of sadness following a bad day or an unhappy event tend to be relatively fleeting. Depression in late life includes certain symptoms that go on nearly everyday for at least two weeks. These symptoms can include feeling down in the dumps, little interest in activities, changes in appetite or weight, sleeping too little/too much, feeling tired, thoughts of guilt and of low self-worth.

The Late-Life Depression Evaluation and Treatment Center has been researching the effectiveness of various approved treatments such as certain types of talk therapy and the use of medications alone or in combination with other medications. Charles F. Reynolds III, MD explains that older adults who participate in his research studies tend to do well/feel better primarily because they are the recipients of a lot of attention from the staff and physicians. Participants receive close monitoring of their depressive symptoms along with medication management. Additionally, family members are encouraged to participate in their loved ones’ depression care. In return for participating in research studies, evaluation and treatment are offered at no cost.

Treatment works – get help. For more information, please call (412) 246-6006